Saturday, March 1st, 2025 – My day was filled with exhilaration. I began with my usual routine: working out, taking a walk, and running on the treadmill while listening to the album by Comeback Kid. I mentioned to my girlfriend that I would be covering a Canadian band since she’s from Canada and is familiar with them. My introduction to Comeback Kid came through my brother during my time in the Philippines. He was deeply immersed in the hard rock punk scene back then, and we would often spend entire days enjoying music together.
The tour commenced with Orthodox, a metalcore band hailing from Nashville, Tennessee, which formed in 2011. The band features lead vocalist Adam Easterling, guitarists Austin Evans and Ben Touchberry, bassist Shiloh Krebs, and drummer Mike White. Adam Easterling describes their sound as "big pants music," merging traditional metallic hardcore with aggressive groove metal. Their crunchy riffs, electrifying sound, and intense aggression made it impossible not to headbang and mosh. I was thoroughly impressed with Orthodox as an opening act; their raw energy was among the most powerful I’ve witnessed at a hardcore show in quite some time. This was merely the beginning.
Next up was This Is Hell, a hardcore punk band from Long Island, New York, that burst onto the stage with remarkable intensity. As someone who enjoys working out, I appreciated their blend of speed and energy, coupled with an appealing melodic edge. Guitarist Rick Jimenez captivated the audience with high-flying kicks that seemed to defy gravity. They encouraged the crowd to form a circle pit, which is a crucial element of any heavy concert.
Following them was Defeater, an American melodic hardcore band from Massachusetts, established in 2008. The lead singer, Derek, expressed his frustration at the crowd's lack of engagement, exclaiming, “This is a punk rock show!” It wasn’t until two-thirds through their set that they truly captivated the audience. With an impressive back catalog, there’s no such thing as a poor setlist; every song is delivered with heartfelt intensity. The crowd passionately echoed the lyrics, creating an electrifying atmosphere.
The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly Comeback Kid, the Canadian heavyweights who have garnered significant acclaim since their formation in 2002. I’ve been a casual fan since my time in the Philippines, though I never learned all the lyrics to their songs. I decided to attend the concert, drawn by their proximity, expecting a relaxed night where I could sing along to the parts I knew while allowing hardcore fans to fully immerse themselves. The show was intense; the pit was more chaotic than many metalcore and deathcore events, yet the atmosphere felt notably more inclusive, both from the crowd and the band.
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